Monday 29 June 2015 17:43, UK
We examine the qualities of West Ham’s Dimitri Payet following his arrival from Marseille...
Marcelo Bielsa or Slaven Bilic? There was much speculation this summer that the two men were rivals for the vacancy at West Ham manager.
Ultimately, the Hammers went with the latter but they’ve bagged the former’s star man from Marseille nevertheless. And that could prove crucial for the club as they look to move on from the Sam Allardyce era in style.
At £10.7million, France international Dimitri Payet represents a significant investment for West Ham and a considerable coup too given his remarkable season under Bielsa at Marseille. The statistics are stunning and will already have Hammers fans convinced that their team can prove a more exciting proposition in the final third next season.
Payet’s tally of 17 assists was the best in France and the fourth best in any major European league in 2014/15. That’s the headline statistic but the underlying data was arguably even more impressive. His total of 134 chances created was more than anyone else. Indeed, only two other players – Kevin de Bruyne and former Lille team-mate Eden Hazard – topped 100.
It’s a reflection of the work Payet has put in under Bielsa. The ruthless streak that was once lacking is now there. “What he gave me in one season, I know it will serve me for the rest of my career but also my life,” said Payet earlier this month. “When you have worked with him, you come away a different man.”
As a result, Bilic is getting a player who has fused quality with a work ethic – “there's so much intensity in training and in matches, especially mentally” – and that means half the battle for his new coach has already been won. There was a minor issue in December but Bielsa soon defended his “outstanding” player. Put simply, the penny has dropped.
There have been tactical changes too. Although he enjoyed the freedom to come off the left wing at Lille, his influence was restricted to the right flank for much of his first year at Marseille. It’s since switching to a No 10 role under Bielsa that he has blossomed. “He repositioned me as the playmaker and brought me the regularity I’d been lacking.”
It’s brought a new dimension to Payet’s game and one that earned him a France recall by Didier Deschamps. “Today, what he does with his club is very interesting,” said Deschamps in October. “He’s in a different role – a playmaker at the axis, where he is very influential. He has been very efficient and effective in terms of goals and assists with Marseille.”
The decision-making has improved as well. There were 10 successful through-balls in 2014/15, the most of anyone in France, as Payet evidently enjoyed the increased options available with the ball at his feet in a central position. While Marseille’s title bid faded, Payet either scored or assisted in eight of his last 10 appearances for the club.
So how will Bilic look to use Payet? Sticking with the midfield diamond would limit the options, while the 4-4-2 that the Croat opted for occasionally at Besiktas would preclude playing Payet in his best position altogether. The 4-2-3-1 utilised in the Europa League triumph over Liverpool – with wingers switching flanks – would offer most flexibility.
I’m an attacking footballer and that they’re counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility.
That would open up the wings as possibilities, but while Bilic is not a manager keen to get bogged down in tactical formations, it would seem certain that he intends to play the Frenchman in the position in which he flourished at Marseille. It would surely be counter-productive to do anything else when paying a large fee for a 28-year-old of his capabilities.
Payet seems optimistic on that score. “He made it clear that he wanted me to sign and that was important in my choice,” he said of Bilic upon signing a five-year contract. “I’m an attacking footballer and that they’re counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility.”
As West Ham begin their final campaign at the Boleyn Ground, they’ll need their high-profile new acquisition to thrive on that responsibility. Payet made relatively slow starts to his spells at both Lille and Marseille. Hammers fans will be hoping the adjustment period won’t be necessary this time – thanks in part to the man they didn’t appoint as their new manager.
